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Robb Report's 21 Ultimate Gifts: A Sub with the Works

Sheila J. Gibson

DECEMBER 01, 2002

If you seek something more exotic than a superyacht, you might consider the Phoenix 1000 luxury submarine. Measuring 213 feet long, capable of gliding along the surface of the ocean as well as diving to a depth of 1,000 feet, and providing more than 5,000 square feet of interior space spread over four levels, it is bound to impress even the most jaded sailor. The interior can be designed to your liking, but the version shown here contains a flying bridge, an exercise room, a diver lock-out chamber, a kitchen, a dining area, and a comfortable deck saloon that offers spectacular views of the undersea world. The sub can hold as many as 40 guests and crew for day trips and can accommodate 16 guests and crew for overnight journeys. It also includes an area to dock an eight-person minisub that can dive to a depth of 2,000 feet.

The Phoenix 1000 is powered by an MTU diesel engine augmented with 40 tons of 220-volt battery power during underwater trips. It has a range of 4,600 miles when traveling on the surface and a range of 230 miles when submerged. On the surface, its top cruising speed is around 18 mph. Below the waves, it can be significantly slower, depending on underwater currents.